Clinton Administration Made Futile Attempt to Get Osama Bin Laden

[rodbarnett]

Expelled From Afghanistan, Commission Says

WASHINGTON (AP) - In a secret diplomatic mission, Saudi Arabia won a commitment from Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to expel Osama bin Laden in 1998, but the Taliban later reneged on the agreement, a federal panel said Tuesday.
The mission was among the most promising, yet ultimately fruitless, efforts by the United States to use diplomacy to stop al-Qaida in the years before the Sept. 11 attacks.

The independent commission reviewing the Sept. 11 attacks said in a preliminary report that the decision to use diplomatic rather than military options against al-Qaida allowed the Sept. 11 terrorists to elude capture years before the attacks.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAG2VS76SD.html

comment : looks like sept. 11 will be pinned on clinton

[dave29]

1. except that they used the military as well

and only missed him by a few hours, apparantly, in one instance.

[KittyWampus]

13. My Personal Tinfoil Theory: BFEE Via CIA Tipped Off Bin Laden

and that's how he narrowly escaped Clinton's attempt.

[Nashyra]

2. The congress and senate who were repuke majority

accused the Clinton administration of lying about terrorism and would not support the Clinton administrations desire to use force. The Republican congress and senate should be held directly responsible, instead of wasting 77 million dollars and all the time and effort investigating Clintons dick they ignored what was the countries business and safety.

[aquart]

3. Exactly.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Madeleine Albright testified today that they didn't know how interlinked

the Taliban and Osama actually were. Can you imagine what kind of kindling this would prove to be if the Bush Administration did go in and negotiate with the Taliban for Osama? Putting business before political diplomacy may have been a major mistake -- especially if the Bush Administration set aside the sanctions that were already in place.

[aprilgirl]

5. They will try, but it happened on Bush's watch!!!

It happened while the cowboy was in charge. It happened while the Republican controlled Congressed chased Clinton's penis. The record is clear. Examine the votes, speeches, and testimonies given to Congress from 1998 until the end of Clinton's term. 9/11 happened on 9/11/01.

The Marine barracks was bombed and 254 Marines were killed under cowboy Ronnie Reagan. What was our response? We left Lebanon. So if anyone wants to talk about the messeages the US was sending to so-called terrorists, begin at the beginning...go back to arms for hostages and Iran/contra. Now just where did those awful terrorists get the idea that the US would not fight?

[underpants]

6. Oh yeah NO ONE had a problem with Bill deploying the military

no not anyone would have been up in arms about that or even get upset if he SET FOOT on a military base.....oh no not a soul.

There also would have been no accusations of WAG THE DOG nope not one I am sure.

:eyes:

[jpak]

7. Let's look at the Chimp's success with the military option.

Because of the Chimp's decision to invade I-raq, he did not commit sufficient forces to the Afghan campaign to secure the entire country.

The result???

The Mullah Omar rides off on the back of a motorcyle and eludes capture.

Furthermore...

The Chimp had OBL cornered at Tora Bora.

He had him located to within 100 meters of his actual position.

But, because the US did not have enough troops on the ground to completely surround his KNOWN position....

...OBL escapes.

Spin that Freepers.

[UpInArms]

8. I posted this info in another thread earlier and it is

appropriate here also:

here is a statement by John Maresca in 1998 for Unocal

http://www.bapd.org/Unocal%201998%20Caspian%20testimony.html

Mr. Chairman, I am John Maresca, Vice President, International Relations, of Unocal Corporation. Unocal is one of the world's leading energy resource and project development companies. Our activities are focused on three major regions -- Asia, Latin America and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. In Asia and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, we are a major oil and gas producer. I appreciate your invitation to speak here today. I believe these hearings are important and timely, and I congratulate you for focusing on Central Asia oil and gas reserves and the role they play in shaping U.S. policy.

Today we would like to focus on three issues concerning this region, its resources and U.S. policy:

The need for multiple pipeline routes for Central Asian oil and gas.

The need for U.S. support for international and regional efforts to achieve balanced and lasting political settlements within Russia, other newly independent states and in Afghanistan.

The need for structured assistance to encourage economic reforms and the development of appropriate investment climates in the region. In this regard, we specifically support repeal or removal of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

...more...

and then Clinton did this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/156620.stm

Saturday, August 22, 1998 Published at 16:18 GMT 17:18 UK


World

US sanctions on Saudi dissident

President Clinton has signed an order forbidding American companies to trade with the exiled Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden - the man Washington says was behind the bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

On Thursday, the US launched missile attacks on targets in Afghanistan and Sudan that it believes are part of a "terrorist" network organised by Osama bin Laden.

In his weekly broadcast to the nation, President Clinton said America would make sure Osama bin Laden had less money in future.

"We must not allow sanctuary for terrorism - not for terrorists or for their money," Mr Clinton said.

http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/pol/terror/99101801.htm

15 October 1999

Text: Clinton Applauds UNSC Adoption of Sanctions Against Taliban

President Clinton applauded the U.N. Security Council "for taking a strong stand against international terrorism ... and demanding that the Taliban stop harboring Usama bin Ladin," according to a statement released by the White House October 15.

The Security Council on October 15 passed by a unanimous vote a resolution that will result in economic sanctions being placed on the Taliban if they do not deliver bin Ladin within 30 days to a country where he can be brought to justice.

"The sanctions the U.N. has chosen parallel the unilateral ones that the United States placed on the Taliban in July and will result in the restriction of landing rights of airlines owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of the Taliban, the freezing of Taliban accounts around the world and the prohibition of investment in any undertaking owned or controlled by the Taliban," the President said.

Following is the White House text:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

Statement by the President

I applaud the U.N. Security Council for taking a strong stand against international terrorism today and demanding that the Taliban stop harboring Usama bin Ladin. The Security Council's resolution, which passed by a unanimous vote, will result in economic sanctions being placed on the Taliban if they do not deliver bin Ladin within 30 days to a country where he can be brought to justice.

The Security Council's action demonstrates the international community's understanding of the threat posed by bin Ladin and his network of terrorists. Despite the condemnation of scores of countries after the 1998 bombing of our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, the Taliban has continued to allow bin Ladin and his network to operate training camps, make threats against the United States and others and plan terrorist operations from their bases in Afghanistan. Now the international community has spoken with one voice. The sanctions the U.N. has chosen parallel the unilateral ones that the United States placed on the Taliban in July and will result in the restriction of landing rights of airlines owned, leased or operated by or on behalf of the Taliban, the freezing of Taliban accounts around the world and the prohibition of investment in any undertaking owned or controlled by the Taliban.

...more...

Friday, 28 August, 1998, 22:00 GMT 23:00 UK

Timeline

August 28: Second embassy bomb suspect charged The US authorities charge a second man in connection with the bombing of the American embassy in Kenya.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_160000/160512.s...

August 26: Pakistan 'objected to missile attack' The Pakistani army has issued a statement attempting to clarify the role of an American general who visited Islamabad at the time of the US missile strikes.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_158000/158896...

August 25: US 'reveals' nerve gas evidence An anonymous US intelligence official has reportedly revealed evidence of nerve gas production in the Sudanese factory hit by American missiles.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_157000/157938.stm

August 25: US 'charged' bin Laden before bombings Osama bin Laden, the man blamed by the US for the East African embassy bombings, was reportedly charged with inciting attacks on US citizens weeks before the explosions.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_157000/157902.stm


August 25: US 'reveals' nerve gas evidence An anonymous US intelligence official has reportedly revealed evidence of nerve gas production in the Sudanese factory hit by American missiles last week.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_157000/157938.stm

August 24: UN debates Sudan factory attack The UN Security Council is set to consider Sudan's plea for inspectors to visit the factory destroyed by US missiles.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_157000/157192.stm

August 23: Saudi dissident told to hold his tongue The Taleban authorities in Afghanistan say they intend to restrain the activities of Osama bin Laden.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156936.stm

August 23: Libya accuses US The Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has accused the US of training Osama bin Laden.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/monitoring/newsid_156000/156802...

August 23: Iraq backs Sudan Baghdad says it will support Sudan in fighting American "aggression".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_156000/156721.stm

August 22: 'Terror network severely damaged' The White House says Thursday's Cruise missile attack in Afghanistan badly disrupted terrorist training camps.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156747.stm

August 22: Trans-Afghan pipeline suspended The United States oil and gas company, Unocal, has called a halt to plans to build a $2bn pipeline through Afghanistan following the US air attacks on Afghanistan and the Sudan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_156000/156497...

August 22: UN official dies A senior United Nations official, who was shot in the Afghan capital, Kabul, has died.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_156000/156669...

August 22: US sanctions on Saudi dissident President Clinton has signed an order forbidding American companies to trade with the exiled Saudi dissident, Osama bin Laden.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156620.stm

August 22: Sudan protests against West Angry crowds in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, stoned the British embassy building and cut down the British flag.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156393.stm

August 22: UN victim taken to Pakistan The body of a senior Italian UN official, shot dead in the Afghan capital Kabul, has been flown back to Pakistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_156000/156669...

August 22: UN to discuss factory attack The UN is to consider Sudan's call for observers to investigate whether a factory bombed by the US was making chemical weapons or pharmaceuticals.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_156000/156316.stm

August 21: Squaring up for conflict The US and terrorist suspect Osama bin Laden warn each other of more attacks following American missile raids in Sudan and Afghanistan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156273.stm

August 21: US on alert for reprisals Americans at home and abroad are warned to be aware of the risk of reprisals. Security is stepped up at public buildings, embassies and airports.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_156000/156298.stm

August 21: Protests begin over US attacks Demonstrations against the American military action begin in Pakistan and Afghanistan, while in Sudan, protesters attack the US embassy in Khartoum.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_155000/155551...

August 21: Sudan broadcasts aftermath of air strike Sudan's president Umar Bashir describes the US air strike on his country as an act of "aggression of the forces of tyranny and oppression".
http://sitesvr01/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_155000/155415.stm

August 20: Clinton defends military strikes President Clinton defends his decision to order attacks against targets in Sudan and Afghanistan, but the countries concerned have reacted with anger.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_155000/155252.stm

August 20: Annan 'concerned' over US air strikes The United Nation's Secretary General, Kofi Annan, expressed "concern" at the US air strikes in retaliation for embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/newsid_155000/155318.stm

August 20: Strikes 'planned for a week' The US strikes in Sudan and Afghanistan had been planned for up to a week beforehand, according to Pentagon officials.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_155000/155159.s...

August 20: Taleban leads condemnation of attacks The Taleban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, condemned the US bombing of Afghanistan, saying there was no camp of the dissident Osama bin Laden in the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_155000/155290...

August 20: Clinton statement in full The full text of the statement made by President Bill Clinton from the Oval Office in Washington on US military strikes in Afghanistan and Sudan.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/americas/newsid_155000/155412.s...

August 20: Aid agencies quit Afghanistan International aid agencies start pulling their staff out of Afghanistan following a warning from the United States that they could be in danger.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/south_asia/newsid_154000/154905...

August 7: US embassies hit by blasts Two powerful explosions rip through US embassies buildings in Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/newsid_147000/147065.stm

[DrWeird]

9. I guess bombing the shit out of Al Qaeda is a diplomatic option.

:eyes:

[Jacobin]

10. Oh, and Smirk's attempt has been SUCCESSFUL???

I call bullshit on that

[Mithras61]

11. <SARCASM> But Clinton's action against Al Queda Failed!

"When I take action," Bush said, "I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt." </sarcasm>

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/bush.htm

They think that 1) Clinton was wagging the dog, and 2) since all WJC got was an empty tent and no Congressional authority to pursue it further, that he didn't act.

They also forgot that WJC used those $2M missiles to take out terrorist training camps, and that he SUCCESSFULLY prevented numerous attempted attacks on US soil (and did it WITHOUT Shrubco's pet USA PATRIOT Act, too!).

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

12. Correct me if I'm wrong

since all WJC got was an empty tent and no Congressional authority to pursue it further, that he didn't act.

Doesn't the president have 90 days to wage war without congressional approval? I've heard this somewhere before, but I am unable to verify it. If true would this mean that the pres can call on the military to perform actions that are time critical without having to let congress debate on it for weeks? Would that also mean that * could have walked into Afghanistan for 3 months, pulled out and went into Iraq for another 3 months in this Quest for Empire?